Many medical schools require that you have at least a 3.0 minimum GPA to even apply to medical school. However, you probably need at least a 3.5 GPA to be competitive for most (if not all) medical schools. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 40% of all applicants who have a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 get accepted into a medical school. In other words, 60% of applicants who have a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 do not get into a single medical school. For those who have a GPA between 3.6 and 3.8, the chances of getting into a medical school increase to 55%. 72% of applicants with a GPA greater or equal to 3.8 get accepted into medical school. To see a detailed report, visit AAMC’s report on MCAT and GPA for Applicants.

Conclusion? It is hard to get into medical school. If you do not have a high GPA, your chances are slim. Even if you do have a high GPA, you are not guaranteed a place in a medical school. However, note that GPA is not the only factor that medical schools consider. Another major factor in the medical school admissions process is the MCAT. If you do not have a desirable GPA, you can help yourself by preparing well for the MCAT. But you still cannot undermine the importance of the GPA.

Other important factors for medical schools include letters of recommendations, extracurricular activities, personal statement, and leadership potential among others.